(Rome, NY – Jan. 2012) ACCESS Federal Credit Union recently announced the appointment of Sandra L. Reader to their professional staff. Reader has joined ACCESS in the position of Member Representative at their Rome branch.

Reader comes to ACCESS Federal Credit Union with more than 40 years experience in the banking industry, serving in varying capacities throughout her career. She most recently served as Vice President of Consumer Loans for Rome Savings Bank prior to its acquisition by Berkshire Bank. Reader said that she “hopes to use her vast banking experience to assist members and aid in the growth of the credit union.”

According to Thomas L. Owens, ACCESS President and CEO, bringing Reader on board serves to benefit both the credit union and the customers they serve.

“I am extremely pleased and very excited to have Sandy join our staff,” Owens said.  “I’ve had a great business banking relationship with her which started over thirty years ago when we both worked for the Oneida National Bank.”

Owens indicated that Reader is a “perfect fit” for ACCESS, in that she gives priority to honest member service and relationships over organizational sales goals. “I know Sandy is looking forward to getting back to ‘old fashioned banking’ where she will have the authority to serve her long-time trusted bank clients.  We are certainly looking forward to having her as part of the ACCESS team.”

In addition to her role as a banking professional, Reader is also an active member of the Rome community. She serves as a member of the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce and Zonta International, currently acting as president of the Rome Zonta Club. Reader resides in Rome with her husband, Doug.

ACCESS Federal Credit Union is based in Clinton with branches in Camden, Oneida, Sherrill, Rome and Waterville. Everyone who lives, worships or goes to school anywhere in Oneida County or the City of Oneida are eligible to join.

(Waterville, NY – Feb. 2012) Walter Kogut, Store Manager of White’s Farm Supply, Inc. in Waterville has announced his retirement from the Central New York Farm Equipment and Outdoor Power Equipment Dealership effective Feb. 1.

During his 20-year tenure, Kogut, has been a team leader in propelling the growth and productivity of the Waterville branch of the three-store location (Waterville-Canastota-Lowville) machinery business that began in Canastota more than 65 years ago.

In his career at White’s Farm Supply, Inc. Walt has built relationships with local farm businesses and says he will miss the everyday contact with the farming community and the employees that have worked along side him in providing quality parts, service, and equipment to these customers.

Prior to joining White’s, Walt had graduated from Utica College with a degree in Business Management and had worked for the former Barley Knitwear of Waterville for 28 years beginning as an Assistant Production Manager and moving on to Production Manager and then General Manager.

Walt is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Bonnie, and their three children and two grandchildren.  Walt likes to keep busy and will remain in the local area working with his son, Tim, in the construction industry.

Walt would like to ask the community to join him and White’s Farm Supply in welcoming his successor to the Waterville store, Jeffrey Conroe.  Conroe has already begun transitioning into his new role with the company and is excited to become involved in this new and exciting aspect of the agricultural industry.

Jeff has been involved with agriculture for 30 years with most of that time spent working for Richer Feeds in a variety of capacities from Dairy Nutrition to Account Management.  He attended SUNY Cobleskill and graduated with a degree in Ag Business and is a registered Animal Scientist with ARPAS.  Jeff is an active member of the Morris Rotary Club, Westville Grange and National Milk Bottle Association.

Jeff and his wife, Mary Jane, have two sons, and a daughter, the youngest a Junior at Oneonta College.  Jeff is a collector of milk bottles from Otsego,Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties as well as old memorabilia from the I. L. Richer Company.  He has just started hiking the Adirondack Mountains with his oldest son, as well as taken up mountain biking.

Jeff is looking forward to meeting new and established customers, listening and helping them determine their needs so that the parts, service, and sales teams can get them the right product for the job.

Customer satisfaction has been a great part of the success White’s has experienced over the years and we look forward to serving the interests of our customers.  The White family;  Dale, Doug, Art, Jeff, and Greg – invite you to stop in at the Waterville store at 962 State Route 12 and wish Walt well in his retirement, as well as meet the new Store Manager, Jeff Conroe.

Erlichman Added to Dean’s List

Nazareth College is proud to announce the following students has earned dean’s list honors for the fall 2011 semester: Gretchen Erlichman of Waterville is studying music education.

A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the dean’s list at Nazareth.

Engle Named to Dean’s List

(Waterville) Brianne Engle (junior) or Waterville was named to the dean’s list at the University of New Haven for the fall 2011 semester. Full-time undergraduate students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA for the semester to be eligible for the dean’s list.

(Waterville, NY – Jan. 19, 2012) The State Police in Waterville investigated a two vehicle personal injury motor vehicle accident, which occurred on Route 5 at the intersection of Route 233 in the Town of Westmoreland.

On Jan.19 at about 8:10 a.m. Robert L. Funk 3rd was operating a 1999 Ford Taurus east on State Route 5, when his vehicle struck the rear of a 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck, operated by Lisa A. Medokowich, which was stopped on Route 5 waiting to turn north onto Route 233. Medokowich, 43, of Vernon was transported by Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance to Oneida Healthcare for treatment of minor injuries.

Funk’s vehicle was heavily damaged and he sat in the State Police vehicle while awaiting a tow truck.

The investigating Trooper detected an odor of marijuana coming from Funk while he was seated in the Trooper’s vehicle. He was subsequently found to be in possession of approximately 4.8 grams of marijuana. Funk, age 32, of Chittenango was issued an appearance ticket for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (violation) and a uniform traffic ticket for Following Too Closely, both returnable Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. in the Town of Westmoreland Court.

The Town of Westmoreland Fire Department also assisted at the scene.

(Utica, NY – Jan. 3, 2012) Mohawk Valley Community College held its 2011 Fall Commencement on Thursday, December 15, in the Robert R. Jorgensen Athletics/Event Center on the Utica Campus. Some 194 MVCC students were invited to walk across stage for the conferral of associate degrees or certificates.

Those MVCC students who were recognized for completion of their academic programs are:

Name, Hometown, State, Degree, Major

Victoria Muth, Oriskany Falls, NY, Associate in Science, LA&S: Adolescence Education

John Maine, Waterville, NY, Associate in Science, LA&S: General Study

The Commencement keynote address was delivered by Denise DiGiorgio, former Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students. Ms. DiGiorgio, who retired from the College in May after 33 years of service, was instrumental in making every student’s experience at MVCC memorable and successful. She was honored as Vice President Emerita this past Fall.

MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D., presided over the event with remarks and congratulations offered by Elaine Falvo, Chair of the MVCC Board of Trustees.

(Vernon, NY – Dec. 30, 2011) A trooper dispatched to check on a disabled vehicle on Route 5 in the Town of Vernon Friday afternoon found the driver to be intoxicated and charged the 21 year old man with DWI.

A cell phone caller contacted Oneida County 911 at approximately 1:30 p.m. reporting a 2007 Audi stopped along the eastbound shoulder of Route 5 and advised that the operator appeared to be intoxicated.  A trooper responded to find the driver Andrew M. Krasniak of Clinton was in fact intoxicated and had pulled to the shoulder after having mechanical problems with his vehicle.

Krasniak was processed at the SP Waterville station, where a breath test determined his blood alcohol content to be .10 percent. Krasniak was issued traffic tickets for driving while intoxicated and Driving with a BAC of .08 percent or more and is to appear in the Town of Vernon Court on Jan. 25, 2012.

Following the processing, Krasniak contacted a friend, Connor L. Martin, 23, of Clinton to pick him up at the Waterville station and it was discovered that Martin was wanted by the Village of Vernon Police on a bench warrant issued by the Village of Vernon Court for failing to appear on a violation of a village ordinance.  Martin was arrested and turned over to the Vernon Police Department.

(Waterville, NY – Dec. 2011) Logan Suba of Waterville has been accepted as a first-year student this fall at Pace University’s New York City campus.

(Oneida County, NY – Oct. 2011) October 2-8 is National 4-H Week, and Oneida County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities.

In Oneida County, more than 300 4-H members and 120 volunteers are involved in 4‑H.  The Oneida County 4-H program reaches over 3000 total youth through after-school programs and other 4-H sponsored activities throughout the year.

Oneida county 4-H members are involved in a wide variety of projects from animals to robotics.  They actively participate in public communication events, community service and project specific shows and competitions.  4-H volunteers guide youth by using their individual expertise and mentoring them throughout the year.  An abundant amount of local, state, and national opportunities are available to those involved in 4-H.  These opportunities and more are available through the 4-H program and help us build our leaders of tomorrow.

Learn how you can become involved in 4-H by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County at (315) 736-3394, extension 122 or email Kristi Cranwell at kac292@cornell.edu

(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) The Central New York Region has everything a traveler could want out of a visit to New York State, from something old (historical landmarks, museums and rustic B&Bs) to something new (state-of-the-art science centers, modern theatrical performances and high-end spas). To emphasize the “something old,” the area is overflowing with quaint shops touting eclectic antiques and collectibles, offering a slice of the region’s rich past. It is truly a picker’s (and a historian’s) paradise.

For starters, the Madison-Bouckville area offers a year-round antique venue with over 30 shops featuring hundreds of dealers, plus the largest antique show in New York State every third week in August. This event, the Madison Bouckville Antique Week, draws more than 2,000 dealers for a weeklong show along one two-mile stretch of Route 20. Another superb find for antique hunters in Madison County is The Market at Oneida Commons, a neat little mall open year-round that’s packed with vintage items, crafts, jewelry, books, furniture, locally-produced Pride of NY foods and other odds and ends that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Cobbler & C. in Sharon Springs, Schoharie County, offers a treasure trove of antiques. Up on the second floor is a wide array of used, but “new to you” goods: a collection of old dishes, glassware, books, magazines and other collectibles.

In Oneida County, the Westmoreland Antique Center features 80 dealer spaces with a vast array of antiques and vintage collectibles like holiday merchandise, milk bottles, postcards and advertising collectibles, plus a vast selection of glassware, china and furniture.

Charlotte’s Antiques in Chenango County welcomes antique enthusiasts to pore over home décor, women’s clothing and jewelry, and rare collectibles, among other specialty items. For Iroquois artifacts, one-of-a-kind classics and various collectibles, Carriage Barn Antiques, Iroquois Antiques and Pheasant Farm Antiques are a few popular stops in the area.

The Little Falls Antique Center in Herkimer County showcases oldies but goodies from 18 dealers. Just a ways down the street, Stone Mill of Little Falls houses everything vintage from lighting, to clothing, to decorative arts and prints, plus local treasures like Oriental carpets from Erie Canal Carpets, sterling silver and cookbooks. The unexpected can be expected in the old factory atmosphere of this 1839 mill built on the banks of the Mohawk River, as the inventory is ever changing. Greater Binghamton’s Clinton Street, aptly named the “Antique Row,” is a hot spot for antiquing, hosting as many as 30 dealers at a given time. The locale makes perfect sense, as Clinton Street itself is an antique – it existed long before the city of Binghamton.

Cooperstown in Otsego County is saturated in antiquing opportunities. More than 50 shops line the area, from main streets to country roads, including NYS Route 7 corridor from Unadilla to Oneonta, the NYS Route 28 corridor from Oneonta to Cooperstown, and US Route 20, the road to the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show. For those seeking a myriad of vintage items, from china and glassware to historic textiles and furniture, shops like Barkley Barn Blue Ribbon Antiques, Lake Antiques and Antiques & Artifacts are must-sees. Even the antiquing venues themselves are fascinating and range from charming homes to old barns brimming with collectibles.

For some, a successful hunt for the perfect antique can take months or even years. The Central New York Region’s seemingly limitless supply of rare antiques and collectibles in dozens of shops across the area, however, can certainly help to shorten the duration of that hunt and make it quite enjoyable along the way.

For more antiquing opportunities and other information about the Central New York Region, check out:www.JustGoCNY.com.

Area Student Named to Morrisville State College President’s List

Morrisville State College recently announced students who were named to the President’s List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a perfect 4.0 average for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Added to the list was Zachary Kochanowski, a resident of Waterville, NY.

Area Students Graduate from Morrisville State College

The following area residents were among students to graduate from Morrisville State College in May.

Casey Cleveland, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY received a degree in Nursing B.S..

Brandon Neff, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY received a degree in Residential Construction.

Tiffany Terrier, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY received a degree in Individual Studies.

Sierra Haas, a resident of Waterville, NY received a degree in Nursing – A.A.S..

Michael Williams, a resident of Waterville, NY received a degree in Diesel Technology.

Benjamin Roorda, a resident of Waterville, NY received a degree in Horticulture.

Area Students Named to Morrisville State College Dean’s List

Morrisville State College recently announced those students who were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve an average of 3.0 to 3.99 for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Kerri Braun, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Casey Cleveland, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Brandon Neff, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Mollie Carter, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Jessica Perry, a resident of Waterville, NY

Stephanie Tabolt, a resident of Waterville, NY

Michael Williams, a resident of Waterville, NY

Benjamin Roorda, a resident of Waterville, NY

Jedidiah Lamont, a resident of Waterville, NY

Local Students Named to President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, N.H. (August 5, 2011) The following students from New York have been named to the President’s List for the spring 2011 semester at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.  To be eligible for this honor, a student must compile an academic grade point average of 3.5-4.0.

Named to the list were:

Dominic DiMaggio of Rome, NY.

Jacqueline Sebastian of Utica, NY.